Knee pain

Knee pain is caused by wear or damage.
The knee is a modified hinge joint between the
upper end of the tibia (shin bone), the lower end
of the femur (thigh bone) and the patella (knee
bone) at the front. Each bony surface is protected
by slippery cartilage, and the joint lined with a
synovial membrane which secretes fluid to oil and
cushion knee movements. The ends of the tibia and
femur are further protected by two crescent-shaped
discs of cartilage, the medial and lateral menisci,
that act like washers to reduce friction when the
bones move together and avoid knee pain. Strong fibrous bands of tissue
hold the joint together, including the knee
capsule,

collateral ligaments at the side of the
joint, plus two ligaments inside the joint itself
(cruciate ligaments). These maintain stability and
allow the joint to bend while stopping the ends of
the bones from moving excessively back and forth or
side to side. Strong muscles in the thigh attach to
the bones via tendons near the knee joint and work
together to move the joint. The hamstring muscles
at the back of the thigh bend the knee, while the
quadriceps muscles in the front of the thigh
straighten it. Fluid filled sacs (bursas) above and
below the knee help to prevent tendons and muscles
from rubbing at pressure points.Knee pain around the
knee can be due to a number of conditions,
including arthritis, sports injuries such as
strained muscle, sprained ligaments or torn
cartilage (meniscus) and bursitis (eg
Housemaid's Knee). The usual
cause of a knee strain, sprain or torn cartilage is
a sudden twisting movement when playing sport or
during a fall. Soft tissue damage causes
inflammation resulting in swelling, bruising,
tenderness, stiffness and a reduction in mobility.
The fluid-filled space surrounding the knee (bursa)
usually also fills with inflammatory fluid
(effusion) and cause dramatic ballooning of the
joint. Immediate treatment is vital to minimise
inflammation and swelling and to hasten healing.
This will reduce the amount of time you have knee pain.

Torn
cartilage

Knee pain swelling

The
crescent-shaped medial and lateral menisci tear when
a sustained, rotational strain is placed on a knee
that is weight-bearing and flexed. This can cause a
longitudinal split or a bucket-handle tear. Pain,
swelling and instability occur initially, and later
the knee may keep swelling, buckle, give way
especially when twisting
or
when locked; so it
can be flexed, but not fully extended when the torn
piece of cartilage becomes trapped between the joint
surfaces. Once a meniscus is torn, it will not heal
as it does not have a blood supply. If the tear is
removed, however, the meniscus may
regenerate.

First
Aid for Knee Injuries

Knee pain action

Immediate treatment will
minimise inflammation and swelling and hasten
healing to reduce the amount of time you are out of
action. To treat sprains and strains, just remember
RICE:

Rest

Ice

Compression

Elevation

Knee pain exercise

Rest -
for at least 24 hours to prevent further damage. Once
pain and swelling start to subside, you may be able
to start gentle exercise, but always follow medical
advice. More severe injuries need to rest longer and
may require immobilisation in a
cast.

Ice -
Apply an ice-pack (eg bag of frozen peas wrapped in a
clean cloth) to the sprain or strain as quickly as
possible to reduce bruising and swelling.
Don't place ice directly on the
skin as this can cause a cold burn. An ice-pack
should only be applied for up to 10 minutes at time -
remove for a few minutes before re-applying again if
necessary.

Compression - An elasticated compression
bandage will minimise swelling. This is best applied
by someone with first aid training, as a bandage that
is too tight will do more harm than good. Signs that
a knee bandage is too tight include pins and needles,
knee pain, blueness or numbness in the lower leg. Tubular
compression supports are also
available.

Elevate - Elevating the leg will reduce
swelling eg prop your foot up on a chair with a
cushion placed under the heel for
support.

Anti-inflammatory painkillers - eg ibuprofen
- by mouth or rubbed on in the form of a sports gel
will help to reduce pain.

Seek
medical advice if:

* Pain
or swelling is severe.

* You
think a muscle or ligament may be torn - eg if you
can't bend a joint properly, or if
a muscle seems to be oddly bunched or excessively
painful.

*
There is a flesh wound or bleeding - especially if
your tetanus is not up-to-date.

*
There is a possibility of a bone fracture (signs to
look out for include bone tenderness with swelling,
increased pain on movement and, in some cases,
deformity).

* You
are unsure how serious an injury is.

Further Self Help for knee
pain

* The
knee joints have to work harder if you are
overweight, so try to lose any extra
pounds.

*
Exercises will help to reduce stiffness, improve
mobility and strengthen the thigh muscles that
stabilise the knee.

* A
physiotherapist who specialises in
sports' injuries can recommend
individual approaches likely to get you back to work
as soon as possible.

*
Supplements containing glucosamine sulphate are
widely taken to supply building blocks needed for
regeneration and repair of damaged joints, torn
cartilage, sprained ligaments and strained tendons.
Extracts of the herb, Devil's Claw
(Harpagophytum procumbens) are also used to help
sports injuries by damping down inflammation and
reducing pain.

Applying magnetic patches

Apply one or more electromagnetic patches
over tender areas around the knee. Alternatively,
apply a patch in the hollow behind each
knee.

The information provided
on this website is only the
author's opinion, it is not
intended nor should it be used as a diagnostic, a
therapy, an advice to self treatment, a
recommendation or an endorsement. It is not suggested
that the methods or devices described are a
substitute for your medical
professional's prescription or
advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the
content is accurate the article is not medically
controlled. Always consult you medical practitioner
for any ailment.

CAUTION

Do not use with a
pacemaker. Do not use on open wounds. Do not use on
abdomen during pregnancy. Stop using if irritation
occurs. Use only externally.